PediCuRx Foot Care Management System...Recent reports have declared that foot problems and lameness on today’s dairy operations are costing more dollars per cow than even mastitis

PediCuRx® Foot Care Management System

The complete management system for professional foot care

2 · GEA PEDICURX® FOOT CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Foot disease cripples your bottom lineRecent reports have declared that foot problems and lameness

on today’s dairy operations are costing more dollars per cow

than even mastitis. Lameness is the new No. 1 herd health

problem! In the last few years, hairy foot warts (digital

dermatitis), specifically, have emerged as a serious concern in

North America. The warts, which eventually lead to lameness,

begin a costly domino effect of herd health problems.

Economic impact

The average cost to treat a lame cow is about $125 to $150

per case. This includes the cost of labor, treatment such as

antibiotics, if needed, and any milk withheld. But this number

does not include decreased milk production or lower weight

due to decreased intake, nor does it include any extra costs

associated with extra days open that may occur because the

cow missed a heat while lame.* For example, a 1,000-cow herd

with a 10% lameness rate could easily have $12,000 to $15,000

in extra costs.

*Source: Greg Goodell, DVM, The Dairy Authority, 2005.

Milk production may drop even before lameness is evident.

The following chart shows milk production prior to, and after

detection of lameness.

Prevention and treatment

There are several important practices that can be used on the

farm to control the introduction and spread of bacteria.

1. New animals should be quarantined for a month

before mixing with the rest of the herd.

2. Regular use of an effective germicide/cleaner in a

footbath and/or by topical application to prevent,

control and treat infectious foot diseases.

3. Routine scraping (2 to 3 times daily) of alleys and

other areas where manure slurry might accumulate.

4. Free or tie stalls should be supplied with a plentiful

amount of clean, dry bedding.

5. Frequent application of a bedding conditioner

(such as ZorbiSan®) to help keep stalls, alleys and

corrals dry.

6. Regular hoof trimming by a professional trimmer

(2 to 3 times per year).

7. Program for the monitoring and treatment of

foot-related problems with the aid and advice of

your hoof trimmer, veterinarian, and/or nutritionist.

8. Feeding balanced rations including trace minerals.

Early lesion Mature raised “hairy” lesion

GEA PEDICURX® FOOT CARE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM · 3

The PediCuRx® foot care systemThe PediCuRx® Foot Care Management System was designed and developed as one unit, including technology and chemistry to

maintain healthy feet.

Programmable dispensing system

for powder or liquid products

Water jets — rinse and fill footbath

with water or treatment solution

Cross-linked

polyethylene footbaths

Pre-bath

Treatment bath

Bladder deflates to release liquid;

inflates to hold it in the footbath

Side panels prevent splashing

and help speed cow flow


Advantages of the unique design of the PediCuRx® systemMinimal water use — while still providing effective flushing

and cleaning of the bath.

Indestructible material — rugged cross-linked

polyethylene footbath is virtually indestructible.

Air-operated bladder gate — simple, rugged and performs

well in challenging environments.

Pre-cleaning pre-bath — cleans feet before cows enter the

treatment bath.

Longer length — 10-foot long footbath allows for frequent

“double dipping” of each foot for greater effectiveness.

Angled front entry edge — makes it easier for the cow to

step in the bath and diverts flush water away from the bath.

Programmable dispensing system for powder or liquid

hygiene products — provides the right amount of product

every time, saving time and labor.

High–powered water jets clean the footbath between treatments.

The first footbath cleans the feet so the second bath can treat

the feet.

The unique design of the PediCuRx footbath allows cows to move

through quickly, but still get adequate foot coverage.


PediCuRx® manual or automated technologyThe PediCuRx® system is designed to make the use of the

footbath as easy as possible, whether it is an automated or

manual version.

Manual footbathUnder normal conditions, 150 to 250 cows can pass through

the bath before flushing. For dairies this size, the manual

footbath system could be the best solution. The bath can be

easily prepared before the milking session and cleaned out

after milking.

• Controlled and operated by the user

• User adds appropriate amounts of chemicals,

and operates air and water valves manually

• A water valve and an air compressor make

the operation easier

Automated footbathIf more than approximately 250 cows travel through the

footbath during one milking session, the liquid has to be

changed during the milking session. In this case the automated

version of the footbath would be the best choice, because it

allows for the releasing, cleaning and refilling of the bath

automatically, which means the operator doesn’t have to stop

during the milking session to change the bath. Whether there

are one or two exit lanes, if using powder or liquid chemicals,

or a combination of both, the automated footbath can be

customized to meet the needs of the dairy.

How the system works• The PediCuRx® control dispenses water, air and

liquid chemical to a single footbath

• Can be programmed to fill, drain and flush at

timed intervals

• Air line provides compressed air to operate

the bladder

• The air bladder inflates to hold liquid in and deflates

to drain it

• Nozzels at the entrance of the bath flush out

the footbath

• Unique angled design promotes good cow flow to keep

the entrance area clean

• Nozzels fill the footbath with water and dispense

liquid chemicals

Optional equipment

Second footbath

Option 1: The second footbath allows a treatment bath in two

separate exit lanes. A decision valve is required.

Option 2: Both baths are installed in the same exit lane. The

first bath is used as a pre-bath and the second is for treatment.

A decision valve directs the flow to the appropriate bath.

Second liquid dispenser — enables the control to dispense

two different liquid chemcials. Typically, one chemical for

pre-treating and another for treatment.

Powder dispenser — each dispenser has two canisters —

one canister is emptied with each treatment cycle. Each

canister can hold enough chemical to treat 150 to 250 cows. A

maximum of two powder dispensers (four canisters) can be

used with one PediCuRx® control. Water is dispensed into the

canister to carry the powder into the bath.

One control unit can operate up to two footbaths A second footbath allows for a treatment bath in two separate exit lanes.


Additional PediCuRx® components — meeting the needs of commercial dairy producersThe following options were designed to provide large,

commercial producers the ability to take advantage of the

PediCuRx® automated footbath system and rugged bladder

gate technology, while still maintaining their cow flow goals.

With these components, producers can automatically flush and

fill their baths quickly, use new or existing concrete footbaths,

and customize their footbath schedule. The PediCuRx® system

brings solutions to producers who need a reliable foot care

management program in a commercial dairy environment.

Solution mixer200-gallon or 300-gallon storage tank — doses up to

400 lbs. of Copper sulfate or Zinc sulfate.

High throughput capacity — treat up to 7,000 cows

without refilling.

Simple, precise mixing — pour granulated Copper sulfate

or Zinc sulfate into the tank through the 12’’ opening. Press

the start button and the tank fills with water to the proper

level automatically.

Internal agitation — the unique nozzle “eductor” magnifies

the agitation action by four times. This action mixes the

solution quickly and thoroughly.

Automatic dispensing — the PediCuRx® automation control

sends a signal to dispense a metered amount of treatment

solution to fill the footbath.

Expandable — can be connected to one or two PediCuRx®

automated footbath controls for dosing up to four treatment

baths.

Corrosion resistant materials — poly tank and poly

circulation pump resist corrosion, providing long service life.

7-day timer modulePrograms — the day and time of footbath session.

Convenient — with a few touches of a button, program the

particular day and time to start and stop the footbath session.

Customize — set the footbath schedule that works for

your dairy. Example: Run a chemical footbath on Monday-

Wednesday-Friday, and a water solution the rest of the week.

Upgrade — the 7-day timer is a kit module and can be added

at any time to your footbath automation control.

NOTE: The solution mixer and 7-day timer module options

are available for both the cross-linked polyethylene and

concrete footbaths.

The large herd mixing solution


For new concrete footbath installations

MegaBridgeCommercial duty — welded, heavy-duty stainless steel to

withstand heavy cow flow.

Unique air bladder technology — low pressure air inflates

the bladder and seals the entire width of the footbath. The

bladder conforms to irregular surfaces such as manure, dirt

and freezing conditions.

Fast draining — bladder deflates quickly and completely so

liquids and solids flow out of the bath. This technology uses

less water to clean the footbath.

Custom sizing — from 30’’ to 96’’. Designed to fit your new

or existing concrete footbath for wider (double and triple) cow

exit lanes.

Installs quickly — anchors to existing concrete. Shipped with

anchor bolts, sealant, air tubing and pressure relief.

Standard sizes — four standard sizes available, for return

lane widths of 36” (3 ft.), 48” (4 ft.), 72” (6 ft.) and 96” (8 ft.).

Footbath cast in concrete manifold assemblyHeavy duty — 1/8’’ thick stainless steel housing.

High capacity — integral 1 ½’’ stainless steel tube manifold

with adjustable outlets.

Dimensionally correct — the housing is 3’’ wide

by 5’’ tall and cast into a 7’’ wide by 8” tall concrete curb.

Custom sizing — from 30’’ to 96’’. Designed to fit your

needs for wider (double and triple) cow exit lanes.

Concrete footbath with MegaBridge

Footbath manifold and curbHeavy duty — welded heavy-duty stainless steel housing.

30° entrance angle — allows cows to enter the bath without

breaking stride.

Entrance is dimensionally correct –– 5’’ wide by 7’’ tall.

Installs quickly — anchors to existing concrete.

High capacity automation controlFlush and fill large baths quickly — less down time, more

cows treated.

Accommodates large baths — baths larger than 4 ft. wide

can be flushed and filled quickly.

High capacity — 1 ½’’ meter and water valve for flushing

and filling large baths quickly.

Operate multiple baths — an optional second bath kit

allows operation of two baths.


PediCuRx® hygiene productsWith the PediCuRx® System, GEA now offers dairy producers a

complete footbath management system and a complete line of

hygiene products to manage foot care. This line of six products offers

a solution for any style of management or level of hairy foot wart

infection on a dairy. However, with six different products to choose

from, it may be confusing to determine which products to use.

Therefore, we’ve provided the following recommendations, along with

additional information about each product on the next page.

PediCuRx products:

• PediCuRx Pre

• PediCuRx TriFusion

• PediCuRx Complete

• PediCuRx Prevent A

• PediCuRx Prevent C

• PediCuRx Prevent Z


Application Products Description

Pre-bath PediCuRx Pre

High detergency, mild biocide surfactant to add to pre-bath to reduce soil load on feet for treatment bath.

Main bathPediCuRx TriFusion

Patented application to enhance the germicidal ability of Copper sulfate and Zinc sulfate and other footbath products. This product can greatly reduce harmful heavy metal contamination of waste water. Field tested and proven effective.




Main bathPediCuRx Complete

A patented Tri-Plex formulation, which can be applied topically, with a wrap, or diluted in a footbath. Highly effective in treating and managing foot health challenges.




Main bath

PediCuRx Prevent A

A quaternary and acid based liquid solution used in a pre-defined product rotation.

PediCuRx Prevent C

A liquid Copper sulfate solution

used in a pre-defined product

rotation.

PediCuRx Prevent Z

A liquid Zinc sulfate solution

used in a pre-defined product

rotation.

PediCuRx® hygiene product recommendationsPediCuRx footbath recommendation #1Powdered Copper sulfate is the most common footbath

treatment used on today’s dairies. Therefore, our primary

recommendation centers around PediCuRx TriFusion.

TriFusion is used in the main treatment bath with half of the

amount of a typical Copper or Zinc powdered solution (2.5%).

This method was tested using a unique split footbath protocol,

and the results proved that the TriFusion combination resulted

in a significant reduction of foot wart lesions, but with

TriFusion, only half the amount of Copper sulfate was needed.

See the next page for these test results.

PediCuRx footbath recommendation #2PediCuRx Complete is the answer for

dairy producers who:

1. Do not want to use powdered Copper sulfate or Zinc sulfate

2. Choose not to use the powder-dispensing option of our

footbath, or

3. May want to use only one ingredient in the main

treatment bath.

NOTE: Complete can also be used to topically spray or wrap

hooves to treat hairy heel warts.

PediCuRx footbath recommendation #3For dairy producers who prefer alternating different chemicals

on a routine basis in their footbath, the PediCuRx Prevent

products provide that option. While common rotation

schedules are weekly or monthly, we recommend that you

always consult with your foot health support team when

determining your dairy’s precise rotation schedule.

Keys to success — it is important to remember that no

matter which PediCuRx product dairy producers decide

is best for their situation, the footbath solution should be

changed every 150 to 250 cows, depending on the soil load in

the bath, to maintain efficacy. Also, be sure to utilize a foot

hygiene program in conjunction with regular and proper hoof

trimming, environmental cleanliness and proper nutrition.


PediCuRx® worksIn a unique research trial, over a four–week

period, two herds were tested with cows walking

through a split footbath.

On the left side was the “control”— a typical

footbath solution containing a 5% Copper sulfate

solution, the most common footbath remedy. On

the right side was the “treatment” bath — a 2.5%

Copper sulfate solution mixed with the required

dosage of PediCuRx® TriFusion.

Feet treated in both sides showed a significant

decrease in foot wart lesions, but only half the

amount of Copper sulfate was needed when

PediCuRx® TriFusion was used.

Use of TriFusion and a reduced volume (2.5%) of

Copper sulfate is equal to the efficacy and cost

of a 5% Copper sulfate solution typically used in

a footbath.

Cows with lesions reduced from greater than 40% to

less than 20% in a four-week trial.

Foresight Dairy 650 cows (3x/day)

Control 5% Copper sulfate

Treatment Required dosage of TriFusion + 2.5% Copper sulfate

PediCuRx® TriFusion Split Footbath Test ResultsLesion Reduction by Week

% o

f C

ow

s

Cows with lesions reduced from greater than 18% to

less than 8% in a four-week trial.

Rebout Dairy 150 cows (2x/day)

Control 5% Copper sulfate

Treatment Required dosage of TriFusion + 2.5% Copper sulfate

PediCuRx® TriFusion Split Footbath Test ResultsLesion Reduction by Week

% o

f C

ow

s

Using the same treatment regimen above of 2.5% of Copper sulfate, along with the

required dosage of TriFusion, pain scores went from greater than 80% moderate-severe

pain to greater than 80% no pain in a four-week trial.

Foresight Dairy 650 cows (3x/day)

Improved Pain Scores

% o

f H

oo

ves

Unique split footbath test

5% Copper

sulfate solution

2.5% Copper sulfate solution

with PediCuRx® TriFusion


Testimonials

“We have seen significant improvement since starting with

PediCuRx® TriFusion and I like that our Copper sulfate usage

has been cut in half. Our trimmer and I have been very satisfied

with the results. Plus, with the PediCuRx® automation, I can

customize our footbaths to dispense only as I want them to. I

don’t have to worry about whether my workers are maintaining

the baths. In fact, it eliminates the extra labor.”

Joby Blaken / Blaken Farms

Milking 500 cows

Melrose, WI

“We have used PediCuRx Complete topically. Success in

reducing lesions has been a major accomplishment. We get the

feet clean before we apply PediCuRx® Complete, and do it all

several days in a row, watching for incoming fresh cows with

lameness. This program works well for our dairy.”

Terry Rowlett

Milking 140 cows

Campbellsburg, KY

“Thanks to the PediCuRx® system, the hoof condition of my

herd is the best we have had in five years, due to the success

of TriFusion. There’s fewer wraps, fewer unmanageable foot

issues and fewer cull cows in the past year since we started

the program. The price is competitive due to the fact that I’m

cutting my Copper sulfate usage in half. The product does what

it says it would do — manage the foot care in my herd.”

Adam Robey

1,240 cows

Adairville, KY

PediCuRx® helps to reduce the use of heavy metalsHeavy metal compounds such as Copper sulfate and Zinc

sulfate have been proven effective against hairy foot warts.

However, overuse can cause environmental concerns when

they enter the wastewater stream. PediCuRx® TriFusion

maximizes the efficacy of heavy metal products while

significantly reducing their use.

Reducing Copper sulfate use

Mike Rankin of the University of Wisconsin offers these

suggestions for reducing Copper sulfate use.

• Reduce the concentration of Copper sulfate in the footbath

• Reduce the frequency of Copper sulfate use

• Substitute non-Copper products periodically

• Use a clean water footbath ahead of the Copper

sulfate bath

The PediCuRx® system lets you do all of the above.

1 Hoard’s Dairyman, May 10, 2005, page 338

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50 countries. Founded in 1881, the company is one of the largest providers of innovative equipment and

process technology. GEA Group is listed in the STOXX® Europe 600 Index.

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Documents

PediCuRx Foot Care Management System...Recent reports have declared that foot problems and lameness on today’s dairy operations are costing more dollars per cow than even mastitis